Danielle Mkali

About Danielle Mkali

Vice President of Programs & Strategy at Nexus Community Partners, Danielle Mkali leads organizational strategy, program development, and cross-sector partnerships to advance racial and economic equity. She oversees program operations, evaluation, and alignment with Nexus’ mission to build community power and foster thriving communities.Danielle is a lead strategist for the Open Road Fund, a $50M initiative redistributing wealth to Black individuals across MN, ND, and SD. She also founded the North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship, supporting Black cooperative leaders in reclaiming land, labor, and housing.With 20+ years in movement-building, Danielle has led media justice efforts, co-founded community organizing trainings, and helped launch KRSM Radio. She studied African & African American Studies and Education, and is a certified professional coach.Based in Minneapolis and grounded in motherhood and community, Danielle’s work is rooted in the belief that Black communities hold the wisdom and resilience to build systems of self-determination and cooperative legacy.

Experience

1. Vice President Programs & Strategy

   Nexus Community Partners

   Apr 2025 — Present

Education

• University of Minnesota

  African-American/Black Studies

  2002 — 2006

Skills

• Grants
• Editing
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Event Planning
• Research
• Fundraising
• Volunteer Management
• Public Relations
• Public Policy
• International Development
• Public Speaking
• Grant Writing
• Nonprofits
• Program Development
• Program Evaluation